A tap sounded on the door and she called out, “Come in.”
Trevor opened the door but did not close it behind him. He walked toward her, his glance taking in the stocking sitting unopened on her desk. She sighed.
“Please, sit down, Mr. Dristoll.”
He obliged, and their conversation took on the atmosphere of a business transaction. It was colder than most, for she’d always valued her ability to make potential clients feel that the Inn held the intimacy of a home-away-from-home, and the staff a gracious bunch full of a servant’s heart. But she feared crossing that line again with Trevor. She feared not being able to find her way back to sanity.
They’d wrapped up the details when a voice sounded from the hallway. “You-hoo? Anyone here?” At the doorway, a woman stopped. “Ah, hah, the office.”
The half closed door swung open at her knock and a middle-aged lady, dressed in a beige pantsuit with a blue striped blouse under her the jacket stood in the entranceway. Her face lit up, creating fine laughter lines that Angie instinctively knew was characteristic of this visitor. The woman immediately squealed at the sight of them and charged in, grabbing Trevor into a bear hug. Angie watched the tears pool in her eyes when Trevor responded with equal enthusiasm. He pushed her to arm’s length.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
“I was looking on the map, you know the one that hangs in your father’s study, and noticed that Pineville was a mere one hour flight from home. How could I resist the chance to see my boy?”
Trevor cleared his throat and turned to me. “Angie, this is my mother, Sandra Dristoll. It appears she’s flown in for a family reunion, of sorts.”
Sandra focused on Angie. “You would think a mother should not have to race across the miles for a visit with her son, now wouldn’t you? In my day… but you young ones don’t want to hear about my day.” She reached a hand of greeting to Angie. “So nice to meet you. My son has told me so much about you and the Inn. And he was perfectly right on both accounts. The owner is beautiful and charming, and Heritage Inn is a step back in time. I love it!”
Angie took her hand and shook it. “So nice to meet you, Mrs. Dristoll. Your son mentions you often.” When his mother looked questionably toward Trevor, Angie further explained. “Always respectful and full of love. I can tell you two are close.” Angie turned toward Trevor. “Why don’t you show her around after supper? I love visitors who appreciate the history of the place.”
“I will, thank you. We’ve finished up our business then?”
“Yes, I look forward to your return visit in September. At least you won’t have to deal with Christmas. We will start our fall emphasis.”
“Oh, my, I love all the Christmas touches. It is my family’s favorite season – the birth of our Savior, the opportunities to share joy to the homeless community in our city, not to mention all the fun, magical stuff. Have you been enjoying a touch of Christmas in July, Son?” She asked with that mischievous twinkle in her eye as if she already knew the answer. It was a good thing because Trevor offered no response.
“Your son struggles with the theme. He told me of your loss, Mrs. Dristoll. My condolences.” Angie felt she needed to address the issue to the dear woman but hoped the subject would drop there. Trevor saw to that.
“Let’s be off. You can unpack and change for dinner,” said Trevor.
Angie called out. “Mrs. Dristoll, I’ll have someone bring an extra bed to Trevor’s room. I’m sorry I can’t offer you a suite of your own but there is no more room at the Inn.”
“No problem. This way, he won’t be able to run away from me.” Sandra laughed heartily and cast a backward glance in Angie’s direction. “And don’t worry about no room at the Inn. We all know how that story turned out so very long ago in Bethlehem. The miracle-maker is on the look-out.”
Trevor took his mother’s arm in his and the two disappeared out the door. This time he closed it with a gentle click.
Angie sat back down. Sandra added an interesting ingredient to the mix – lovable, but oozing with secretive twists of wisdom that left Angie uncomfortable. After Trevor told his mother of their discussions, would they put two and two together and demand answers from Angie that she didn’t want to give?
The trip to Hawaii had been Jerrod’s last chance to come clean. The next step was a rehab center, with hopes that it might finally bring him over the hump. But that was history. Young Jerrod Parkinson had lost his chance at rehabilitation, and in a drunken stupor had taken his parents down with him. Now, the Dristoll family were added to her nightmare of faces. Would the past never give her rest?
A tap sounded at the door and Charles peeked his head in. “Sorry, I was away from the desk for a moment. Is she a new guest or visiting Mr. Dristoll?”
“It’s his mother,” said Angie.
“What a pleasant surprise for all,” said Charles with a wink.
“Sandra Dristoll will be rooming with her son. Have Sammy bring a cot to his suite.”
